EREV YOM KIPPUR

1. Erev Yom Kippur is a Yom Tov, one where we show happiness and appreciation that Hashem has given us a second chance and for the notion of Teshuvah. There is a special Mitzvah to eat on this day.  The Mishna Brurah cites the Mogain Avrohom that eating on Erev Yom Kippur is a Torah Mitzvah.  The custom is to eat two Seudos.  Many Poskim hold that women are also biblically obligated in this Mitzvah.  The Seudos should be like the Seudos that we serve on Shabbos.
2. There is a custom in Klal Yisroel to do Kaparos on the day before Yom Kippur. A rooster is taken for a man and a hen is taken for a woman.  If a woman is expecting (b’shaah tova umutzlachas), the custom is to take a rooster and a hen.  As was done for the Korbanos, one should have in mind that what is being done to the chicken is really what we deserve — except that Hashem forgives us entirely when teshuvah is done.  After the chicken is shechted it should be given to the poor.
3. There are some authorities that question whether Kapparos should be done at all, and suggest that the original source of this custom did not come from Torah based sources. In order to fulfill this other opinion, some people use money instead of chickens for Kapparos.
4. Many have the custom to immerse in a Mikvah on Erev Yom Kippur.
5. Yom Kippur, of course, does not atone for sins between man and his fellow man, until the other party is approached by the offender. If the issue is a monetary one, then forgiveness does not occur until the money is repaid.  If someone stole from the public, then one must do tzarchei Rabbim —meeting the needs of the public.
6. There is a debate among the Achronim whether ideally one should personally ask forgiveness or whether a messenger should be sent. The Mishna Brurah concludes that one should approach the other party by oneself.  He further writes that if this is difficult or if it would be more effective if a third party is sent — then one should send the third party.

ADDING TO YOM KIPPUR

7. It is a Torah Mitzvah to add on to the day of Yom Kippur, both before it and after it. Women are also obligated in this Mitzvah.
8. During the Mincha Shmoneh Esreh of Erev Yom Kippur there is a Mitzvah of Vidui — confessing one’s sins. The custom is to daven Mincha prior to the eating of the Seudah HaMafsekes, the final Seudah before Yom Kippur begins.  Women should also daven Mincha before this meal and should recite the vidui at Mincha.
9. The opinion of the Ramban is that another Vidui should be recited after the meal as well and before Yom Kippur. The Mishna Brurah advises that we be stringent and follow this view.  Men say the Tefilas Zakah , while women could recite an Ashamnu before Yom Kippur.
10. Rav Elyashiv zatzal held that the vidui part of Tfilas Zaka must be said while standing or one does not fulfill the Ramban’s opinion.
11. The table should be covered with a table cloth, just like on Shabbos and on Yom Tov.
12. Yom Tov candles are lit for Yom Kippur just like on other Yomim Tovim. In addition to this every family should light a candle called the Ner HaBari.  This candle  should be long enough to last the entire Yom Kippur.  It will be used for Havdallah on Motzei Yom Kippur, because a ner sheshavas is required — a flame that lasted over Yom Kippur.
13. In addition, Yahrtzeit candles are lit for family members who have passed on.
14. It is a Minhag in Klal Yisroel for parents to bless their children, old and young, before leaving for Shul on Erev Yom Kippur. This Minhag dates back to the times of the Avos.

YOM KIPPUR

15. One should look at Yom Kippur as an opportunity to become ever closer to HaKadosh Boruch Hu. The fact that we do not wear shoes and do not eat makes us similar to Malachim.  We must take advantage of this similarity and emulate Malachim — entities that are entirely spiritual during this day, in order to further our bond to Hashem and to develop our Dveikus to Him.
16. It is important, as mentioned elsewhere, to perform our Teshuva out of an intense love of Hashem. Doing so allows our Aveiros to turn into Zechuyos — meritorious actions.
17. Yom Kippur, in regard to all Malacha, is like Shabbos and not like Yom Tov. Aside from this, however, there are 5 inuyim — hardships that we also undergo on Yom Kippur.  We do not eat or drink.  This hardship is not only biblically forbidden, but if one violates it, one incurs a Chiyuv Karais — being cut off from the nation.  There are also four other hardships, inuyim, that are also D’oraisah (according to most Poskim).  They are bathing, anointing with oil, wearing shoes, and marital relations. Carrying is also forbidden on Yom Kippur, just like on Shabbos.
18. How much food is forbidden to be eaten? There is a principle in halacha called Chatzi Shiur Asur Min HaTorah.  Even though in order to be chayav Karais one must eat the amount of a large date (which is slightly smaller than an egg) it is forbidden to eat or drink any amount.   One may swallow their saliva, according to the Mishna Brurah, although there were some opinions that suggested not to do so.

KOL NIDREI

19. Prior to the recitation of Kol Nidrei, the Sifrei Torah are taken out of the Aron Kodesh and taken around the shul. People hug and kiss the Torah then.  The Mateh Ephraim explains that people ask forgiveness from the Torah for impinging on the honor of the Torah in some manner or form throughout the year.
20. The services for Yom Kippur continue with the recitation of Kol Nidre. The reason for it is because when we stand before Hashem we wish to be free of any stain in order to fulfill the verse in VaYikra (16:30) that discusses Yom Kippur  “Lifnei Hashem Tit-haru — before Hashem you shall be pure.”  Three people stand before the Teiva during this time.  The Levush explains that when Klal Yisroel fought Amalek both Aharon and Chur stood next to Moshe Rabbeinu because it was a fast.  Another reason is because hataras Nedarim requires three people.
21. The Chazan recites the blessing of Shehecheyanu. The members of the congregation recite it along with him silently. They finish before the Chazan so that they may answer Amain to his blessing. Every Yom Tov requires a Shehecheyanu.  Women who lit the candles for Yom Kippur should make sure that they not repeat the Shehecheyanu again.
22. Between Kol Nidrei and Maariv, the Rabbi often speaks words of Mussar.
23. The custom is to stand up straight during the Slichos and Tefilos of Yom Kippur whenever it is indicated in the Machzor. In explanation for this, the Raavya cites the Pirkei Rabbi Eliezer chapter 46 which says that the Satan says before Hashem, “On this day Klal Yisroel are like angels, standing tall and straight, without food or water, and without shoes.”
24. When the Shma is recited, the words “Boruch Shaim Kvod Malchuso l’olam voed” are recited out loud. The Tur explains that Moshe Rabbeinu saw the angels praise Hashem with this expression when he arose to Shamayim to receive the Torah.  Since we are like angels on Yom Kippur, we too recite it aloud.
25. We daven Shacharis and lein from the Torah. The Torah Reading is from Vayikra  Chapter 16:1-34 where the instructions are given to Moshe and Aharon concerning the exact procedure for the Kohanim’s service on Yom Kippur, which would enable them to achieve atonement for Israel. The portion then details the laws of Yom Kippur. There are six people that are called to the Torah on Yom Kippur and a Maftir.  Generally a Yom Tov has five Aliyos, while Rosh Chodesh has four.  During the week there are 3 people called to the Torah and on Shabbos there are seven.
26. For the Musaf Shmoneh Esreh we go through the Avodah of Yom Kippur in the Beis HaMikdash. There are parts in the Mussaf Shmoneh Esreh where it is the custom to bow completely on the floor.  However, it is forbidden for Jews to bow on the floor of a building unless it is in the Bais HaMikdash itself.  Therefore the custom is to have a towel or paper towel upon which to rest one’s knees.
27. During Mincha we read the Parshah of the Arayos and we read Maftir Yonah for the Haftorah. This is because whenever there is separation from Arayos — there is holiness.
28. Neilah is a special prayer that we add on Yom Kippur as the gates of Heaven are being locked. At the end of Neilah the Chazan says the posuk of Shma Yisroel once. Boruch Shaim Kvod Malchuso L’Olam VoEd is recited three times and Hashem Hu HaElokim is recited seven times.  We blast the shofar with a Tekiyah Gedolah — even if it is still Bain HaShemashos, and we do so on Shabbos as well.  The Shofar blast indicates that the period of judgment has ended and that the Shechina has arisen upward.  Then we recite l’Shana Habaah BiYerushalayim.
29. For havdalah we recite a Borei Meorei HoAish — something we do not do for other Yomim Tovim unless they fall on Motzei Shabbos. This is because fire was created on Motzei Shabbos.  Why then do we recite the blessing on Yom Kippur?  We do so because it was forbidden to use fire all of Yom Kippur unlike Yom Tov when we are able to cook.  This is why we need to use a Ner Sheshavas, a flame that was burning all day.  Most authorities hold that a blessing is not recited on the fire if the flame it was received from was not burning all day.

MOTZEI YOM KIPPUR

30. On Motzei Yom Kippur we should be joyous and feel confident and assured that our Tefilos were answered positively. The Midrash tells us that a Bas Kol, a Heavenly voice emanates on Yom Kippur and says the Posuk in Koheles (9:7), “Go out and eat your bread in joy, as Hashem has found your deeds to be favorable.”  It is the custom to immediately jump into more Mitzvos.  We begin constructing the Sukkah on that night.
31. One should arise early to do one’s Avodas Hashem on the day after Yom Kippur. The first Bais HaMikdash was dedicated in the days between Yom Kippur and Sukkos.

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